Actor Brendan Fraser Is Making Change: How He’s Helping Raise Awareness of the Dangers of Skin Cancer

SurvivorNet CEO Steve Alperin is a member of the gala committee, and other SurvivorNet team members will also attend the event.

They will join donors, industry allies, doctors, members of the media and families impacted by the disease for “a lively evening, highlighting the work of the Foundation.”

In addition, several celebrities will be lending their voice to champion the foundation’s efforts, including actors Brendan Fraser (“The Mummy”), Uma Therman (“Kill Bill”), Hong Chau (“The Whale”) and Hank Azaria (“Brockmire”).

Fraser has made waves for his award-winning performance in “The Whale” the iconic actor’s first major role since 2013. He’s also known for his earlier roles in films like “George of the Jungle,” “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns.”

Uma Thurman, 53, has been in many films over the course of her career, but her portrayal of the kick-butt leading lady in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” trilogy takes the cake. She’s also known for her performances in “Pulp Fiction” and “Dangerous Liaisons.”

Also using her platform to raise skin cancer awareness will be

Hong Chau was one of Fraser’s co-stars in the 2022 hit “The Whale.” The 43-year-old actress is also known for her role alongside Matt Damon in the comedy-drama “Downsizing” and recent popular shows like “The Menu” and “The Night Agent.”

Actor Hank Azaria, 59, is also attending the gala. He’s a talented voice actor who’s played many characters in the animated sitcom “The Simpsons” since 1989. But he’s also had many roles in hit films like “Along Came Polly” and “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” He’s known as well for his leading roll in the TV show “Brockmire.”

Know How to Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer

Protecting yourself from skin cancer is so important, but a lot of people don’t know where to start.

To make it easy, Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, recommends the following five techniques to best reduce your risk of developing the disease.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

1. Avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of your heads, the tops of your ears and the sensitive area around the eye.
3. Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen daily (all year long), and make sure to reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.
4. Get yearly skin checks with a professional since it's difficult to evaluate all of the body ourselves.
5. Never visit a tanning bed or salon. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer.

Performing Regular Skin Self-Checks

In addition to the strategies listed above, regular skin self-checks should be used to assess the skin for any suspicious-looking spots in between regular dermatology visits.

Early detection of skin cancer is key to successful treatment, particularly when it comes to melanoma the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about using the acronym ABCDE when performing a self-check.

If any moles or spots on your skin fall into one or more of the ABCDE criteria below, book an immediate visit with a dermatologist.

Examining Your Skin for Melanoma: Remember ABCDE

• Asymmetrical moles: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match? If not, your mole is considered asymmetrical.
• Borders: The edges of your mole look irregular, jagged or uneven; 'B' can also stand for bleeding.
• Colors: Multiple distinct colors in the mole, including patches of pink, brown, grey, black or any color.
• Diameter: Is your spot larger than 6mm the average size of a pencil head eraser?
• Evolution: Is your spot changing over time? Has it gained color, lost color, brought about pain, grown itchy, changed shape, etc.?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.